Driver could press the brake pedal: Rosina recalls terrifying accident moments at Banani

Rosina Akter, the woman who lost a leg after a bus ran over her in Dhaka’s Banani, says she would not have been maimed if the BRTC double-decker driver would have pressed the brake pedal.

Kazi Nafia Rahman, Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 April 2018, 07:16 PM
Updated : 21 April 2018, 07:16 PM

Doctors at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation or Pongu Hospital amputated her right leg from the thigh region to save her life around 1am on Saturday following the accident on Friday night.

However, she is not out of danger yet, doctors say.

Rosina, 21, from Mymensingh is the second among six sisters. She has been working as a house help in the capital for 10 years.

She was returning to her employer journalist Syed Ishtiaque Reza’s home in Gulshan’s Niketon after visiting a friend in Mohakhali when the accident occurred.   

Speaking to bdnews24.com at the hospital on Saturday, Rosina recalled the terrifying moments of the accident that occurred near the Chairmanbarhi footbridge around 9pm.

“Some were crossing the street. When I got off the pavement to cross, a car came and I signalled it to stop. It stopped but when I started crossing the street, it bumped me, and I fell on the street,” she said.

“The bus did not stop even when I fell. Such a large bus ran over my leg.”

“My leg could have been saved if the bus stopped when I fell,” she said.

Rosina said the driver of the BRTC double-decker did not stop even after the front wheels ran over her leg. The rear wheels also ran over her leg.

She alleged that there were policemen on the site, but they did come forward to help her.

“When I regained consciousness, I saw some men taking me to the hospital on an autorickshaw,” she said.

Concerned over her future, she said, “What will I do now? I won’t be able to get back to my previous life. I won’t get my leg back.” 

She also said such accidents repeatedly occur as the drivers responsible for the mishaps, get away with little or no punishment.

“There’s no benefit in demanding their punishment. They are jailed for six months, a year and then walk free. Nothing happens to them,” she said.

She referred to the death of student Rajib Hossain after he lost was mangled in between two 'racing' busses in the capital’s Karwan Bazar earlier this month.

“I’ve seen the report in newspaper. Was there any justice?” she asked.

Asked who was paying the medical bills, her father Md Rasul Mia said he was actually worried about Rosina’s future. Rosina’s sister ‘Tanjila’ also works as a house help at another house in Niketon.

Rosina’s employer Ishtiaque said he would bear the costs of Rosina’s treatment and rehabilitation.

“She has become a member of my family. She will stay with us,” he said.

Goni Molla, a director at Pongu Hospital, said Rosina lost much blood and was not out of danger yet.

“She is eating and speaking. We hope she will recover well and soon,” he added.